Au Revoir!

Image via Flickr

I’ve got some sad news folks. I recently started a new job that leaves me with very little time for extracurricular activities. After much thought and consideration I have decided to stop blogging for the time being. I think I’ll still keep the blog online because I can’t quite get myself to erase it and perhaps I’ll return to blogging if my job responsibilities calm down. I had an amazing experience blogging and I really appreciate the time that everyone took to write comments. To my fellow bloggers - thanks so much for the constant inspiration. Keep rockin!

Summer Hiatus

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. I've decided to officially go on summer hiatus. I still might post things occasionally but won't be posting daily as I have done so in the past. It's time to relax and have fun in the sun. I should be back in a couple of months but maybe sooner. Hope you all have a great summer!

At Home With Samantha Pynn

I received my latest issue of Style at Home (my favorite Canadian design magazine) and I fell in love with the home of design editor Samantha Pynn. I was all ready to post pictures of her home, but fabulous blogger All Things Bright & Beautiful beat me to the punch. She did a FABULOUS post on Mrs. Pynn's home and apparently it was something that one of my favorite bloggers - Emily of Design Smack, was going to post before she ended her blog. I miss Design Smack so much!!! You should definitely check out the rest of the pictures on All Things Bright and Beautiful. You won't be disappointed!!!!

I particularly love the bench featuring Alan Campbell's blue zig zag fabric. I actually saw these benches on sale at Restoration Hardware (looking MUCH different) a while back and thought of reupholstering them. I didn't buy them and now I am kicking myself for it. That bench is so damn chic! Here is a before picture of the bench from Restoration Hardware. It is called the Hudson Leather Piano Bench and it is available for $349. I wish it was still on sale :(

Palazzo Tornabuoni

One of the most beautiful places I have ever had the opportunity to visit is Florence, Italy. I didn't think any place could be more spectacular than the south of France, but Florence just blew me away. The art, the food, the culture.....the place is magical! I recently came across pictures of the recently restored Palazzo Tornabuoni, which is a fifteenth century palace in Florence that was once the Medici family residence, and I felt heartsick for Italy all over again. Doesn't this place look spectacular?





Images from Palazzo Tornabuoni.

Eat Shop Phoenix

Because I am originally from Arizona, I often have friends ask me where to eat and shop when they go for a visit. Over the years I have kept a list of my favorite places that I edit and add to regularly. I usually tell my friends about places that I love that I know they can't find anywhere else. For example, you would never catch me recommending PF Changs on a visit to Phoenix. I mean, I love PF Changs but you can get their lettuce wraps in virtually any city in the US. Plus, I tend to prefer more independent places anyways.

So today I was in a bookstore and found a travel guide called Eat, Shop, Phoenix. It looked pretty cool and so I flipped through the pages and then I immediately sat down and read the entire thing. Basically, it is as if the editors of the book went inside my brain and my computer and made a list of all the coolest places in Phoenix, except it is so much better than my list because there is amazing photography and tons of great recommendations on what to order or buy. There were even some restaurants I had never heard of but look absolutely amazing. Even though I am from Arizona, I still bought the book. I highly recommend it to anyone planning a trip to the Valley of the Sun (note that the fabulous resorts in AZ are so much cheaper in the summer!). I now plan on checking out the other Eat, Shop guides for cities like Boston, Paris, and Seattle.

A Few Imports From Germany

My mom recently came back from Germany and I requested that she bring me back a few things that I can't get or can't seem to find in the States. First off is an extremely powerful sunscreen from French Company La Roche-Posay. It is their Anthelios 50+ Fluide Extreme with Mexoryl XL. La Roche Posay is now sold in the US but they don't sell this particular product - who knows why? I think this is the best protection against UVA & UVB rays on the market. In fact, Allure magazine just did an article in which some of the best dermatologists in the country said they use this product. That must mean it's good right? In Germany it is 17 euros but I have seen it being sold on Ebay for $60. Yikes!


Second, I had my mom bring back several kinds of Labello lip balm. I don't know what it is about this particular brand but I am crazy for it - especially the strawberrry and honey and milk flavored ones. You can get them anywhere in Germany and they are super cheap.


Finally, I always request Milka chocolate bars - but not just the plain old Milka bars which are very good (and can be found at Cost Plus). I stock up on the Choco & Rice flavor, which is absolutely addictive and delicious. I think I ate 2 whole candy bars in the span of like an hour. They are that good!




So those are a few things I had smuggled into the country that I enjoy. Are there things that you love that you can only find in another country?

Crack in a Candle

You know that irresistible smell of warm freshly baked cookies? I have been to so many open houses where the realtor puts cookies in the oven to make the house smell good. It is supposed to make prospective buyers feel an emotional connection to the home or something like that. Anyways, if you love the cookie smell but don't want to bake or tempt yourself with the calories, may I suggest the Illume Boulangerie Tin candle in Vanilla Icing. I typically don't like really sweet scents but I swear this candle is like crack. If you head into your nearest Anthropologie store, you will see what I mean.